Your house is on the market and either you are going to have an open house or a prospective buyer coming. Are you ready?

Front Entrance - Does it look inviting? Is the front door freshly painted if needed, screen or storm door in excellent repair,  door knobs and lock polished or recently replaced, new or newer mat at front door, seasonal decoration on door, potted plant or flowers outside or in entranceway if there is spacer - is everything clean and fresh?

Interior - Have you de-cluttered? Checklist

• Light and bright - open draperies and if weather is nice, open some windows to let in fresh air
• Turn on lights in all rooms - Have you increased the wattage of bulbs in the laundry room, kitchen and all bathrooms? If not, do so today
• Fireplace - if warm weather and not in use, put screen or flowers in front. If open house and weather permitting, light fire as buyers get warm feeling from glow thereby setting right emotional stage - buyers buy emotionally
• Closets - ALL should be neat and well organized to show ample closet space
• Attic, basement, crawl spaces and any other utility space should have all unnecessary items removed
• Bathrooms - should SPARKLE, grout replaced and fresh or new towels hanging
• Bedrooms - beds  made with attractive and colorful bedding - all excess furniture removed
• All other rooms - have clear entry to all rooms by rearranging or removing furniture
• Kitchen - squeaky clean - countertops should be clear, all appliances clean inside and out, drawers and cabinets that open and close easily - have you replaced drawer pulls if not newer kitchen?

Exterior - Unlock garages, outside entry to basement and storage sheds. Move ALL cars out of driveway and park them elsewhere but NOT in front of house. Your yard should be free of any clutter, toys and trash. Landscaping should be perfect.

People and Pets - Do not stay in the house while it is being shown. Prospective buyers cannot freely see your home or make comments etc. The fewer the distractions, the more the buyer can focus. Put the kids and pets in your car and leave even if it's only to drive to the next block and sit there.

FYI

• Remove or put away all valuables and cash
• If you have a lot of religious or ethnic items displayed, remove a lot of them as they  may turn off a buyer who may feel uncomfortable because they have different backgrounds or beliefs
• Create a "Home Book" - put pictures of your home in a binder showing it at different seasons of the year. Include pictures of local schools, churches, shopping centers etc and any area information that you feel is important for prospective buyers. Leave in area where all can see and view it.

Atmosphere

• Turn on music - no overpowering music - soft and easy background music
• Aroma - for open houses and some showings - put on pot of coffee and/or bake cake. Or you can boil cinnamon sticks in pot of water or pour vanilla extract on cookie sheet and place in warm oven - "Home Sweet Home"
• Turn on lights in every room

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